Plants in genus helleborus
Helleborus thibetanus
Helleborus thibetanus is a rare perennial from Southern China, known for its early spring blooms of white to pink flowers. It prefers rich, well-drained woodland soil and a shaded, sheltered position. The plant goes dormant in summer and is susceptible to leaf spot and virus, requiring careful maintenance.
Helleborus viridis
Helleborus viridis is a semi-evergreen perennial native to Central and Western Europe, known for its thick, hand-like foliage and 1-inch apple-green flowers. It blooms from February through May and is found on limestone and chalk-based soils. All parts of this plant are poisonous, and it is considered invasive in some regions.
Helleborus odorus
Helleborus odorus is a hellebore species with large, outward-facing green-yellow flowers that are lightly fragrant. It thrives in alkaline soils and is deer-resistant, making it a great choice for dry shade gardens. This perennial is suitable for part sun to light shade and can add a touch of elegance to rain gardens.
Helleborus orientalis
Helleborus orientalis, native to Greece and Turkey, is a perennial with yellow-cream flowers that may have faint red veins. It blooms in late winter and spring, featuring glossy green leaves. This plant is suited to shaded areas and is hardy in USDA zones 4-9.
Helleborus lividus
Helleborus lividus is an evergreen perennial native to Majorca, Spain, known for its deep green or bluish-green glossy leaves. It produces light green or pinkish-green flowers from midwinter to early spring. This plant is deer-resistant and may require greenhouse protection in frost-prone areas. It hybridizes with H. argutifolius and is valued for its ornamental foliage.
Helleborus purpurascens
Helleborus purpurascens is a perennial native to Western Europe, known for its finely dissected foliage and purple flowers that bloom in late winter and early spring. This plant is hardy and can thrive in a variety of light conditions, from part sun to shade. Its early blooming period and unique flower color make it a valuable addition to winter and early spring gardens.
Helleborus lividus ssp. corsicus
Helleborus lividus ssp. corsicus, also known as the Corsican hellebore, is an evergreen perennial native to Corsica and Sardinia. It is distinguished by its variegated trifoliate leaves, which are speckled with white and have a light pink overlay. The plant grows up to 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide, producing light green, bowl-shaped flowers in late winter and early spring. It is hardy in USDA zones 6 to 9 and requires good winter drainage. This hellebore is deer-resistant and has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Helleborus niger
Helleborus niger, commonly known as the Christmas Rose, is an evergreen perennial with dark green, glossy leaves and pure-white, rose-like flowers that bloom from winter to spring. This plant thrives in part to full shade and prefers nutrient-rich, humus-laden, alkaline soil. Its flowers are resilient to cold temperatures, making it a popular choice for winter gardens. Despite its name, it is not related to the rose family and is part of the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. The plant is toxic, containing protoanemonin, which can cause irritation if ingested. It has a rich history, having been described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753, and is native to mountainous regions of Europe. Helleborus niger is often used in woodland settings and is known for its variegated foliage, which becomes more pronounced with age. It is a favorite among gardeners for its winter interest and ability to thrive in shaded areas.
Helleborus foetidus
Helleborus foetidus, native to Central and Southern Europe and Asia Minor, is an evergreen perennial with yellowish-green drooping flowers edged in purple. It attracts bees and other insects but is poisonous due to glycosides. This plant prefers woodland conditions with moist, humus-rich soil and is drought-tolerant, often found on limestone soils.
Helleborus niger 'Hgc Jacob'
Helleborus niger 'Hgc Jacob' is a compact, early-flowering perennial known for its large, pure white flowers that bloom from November to January. This plant forms a 1-foot tall by 1-foot wide clump and features glossy, dark green foliage that is deer-resistant. It thrives in part sun to light shade and is suitable for dry shade areas. Its winter blooms and resilience make it a valuable addition to shade gardens and winter landscapes.
Helleborus niger 'Snowbells'
Helleborus niger 'Snowbells' is a semi-double Christmas rose known for its horizontally held flowers that begin blooming in mid-December. This plant is part of a new seed strain from Walters Gardens and is ideal for winter gardens.
Helleborus hybridus 'Confetti Cake'
Helleborus hybridus 'Confetti Cake' is an evergreen plant that forms 18-inch tall clumps with double white flowers speckled with raspberry-to-burgundy. Blooming in late winter, it is drought resistant and provides nectar for honeybees, making it a valuable addition to woodland gardens.
Helleborus hybridus 'Mardi Gras Single White W Red Blotch'
Helleborus hybridus 'Mardi Gras Single White W Red Blotch' is a striking plant with picotee-style flowers, featuring white petals with a red-purple blotch. This hybrid is part of the Helleborus family, known for its shade tolerance and ability to thrive in a variety of garden settings.
Helleborus hybridus 'Pdn Violet W Dark Spots'
Helleborus hybridus 'Pdn Violet W Dark Spots' is a deer-resistant plant with violet flowers featuring darker purple spots. It is a hardy perennial suitable for shaded garden areas.
Helleborus foetidus 'Sopron'
Helleborus foetidus 'Sopron' is a perennial plant known for its narrow, metallic green-black foliage and larger bracts and flowers. It grows to a height of 18 to 24 inches and thrives in shade to part shade environments, particularly in USDA Zone 7. The plant has a unique life cycle where individual stems live for two years, with seedlings replacing older plants. It produces pale green bracts and flower buds in late fall, with seeds maturing and shedding by summer. This plant prefers well-drained soil and should not be planted in soggy conditions. An interesting feature is its noticeable odor when disturbed. It is also resistant to rabbits and suitable for dry shade gardens.
Helleborus ericsmithii 'Pink Beauty'
Helleborus ericsmithii 'Pink Beauty' is a hybrid plant with grey-green leaves and dusty purple flower stalks. The flowers open ivory and pink, aging to dusty pink, and are deer-resistant. This plant is hardy in USDA zones 6 and above, making it a reliable choice for shaded gardens.
Helleborus hybridus 'Heronswood Black Purple Strain'
Helleborus hybridus 'Heronswood Black Purple Strain' is a deer-resistant hybrid with single black-purple flowers. These vigorous seed-grown hybrids are suitable for part sun to shade gardens.
Helleborus dumetorum ssp. atrorubens
Helleborus dumetorum ssp. atrorubens is a deciduous plant that blooms in late winter with flowers on 1-foot stalks. The new foliage emerges with a purple tint, adding a splash of color to shaded garden areas. This plant is rabbit-resistant and suitable for dry shade conditions.
Helleborus hybridus 'Pdn Double White'
Helleborus hybridus 'Pdn Double White' is a perennial plant known for its double white flowers. These hand-selected seedlings are suitable for cottage gardens and are resistant to deer and rabbits. This plant thrives in part sun to shade and adds elegance to spring gardens with its winter flowering habit.
Helleborus hybridus 'Cotton Candy'
Helleborus hybridus 'Cotton Candy' is a winter-flowering perennial with double pink blooms. It serves as an evergreen groundcover and is drought-resistant, making it low maintenance. The plant is a prolific re-seeder and provides nectar for honeybees. It thrives in well-drained soils and benefits from the removal of old foliage in late winter.
Helleborus hybridus 'Painted Singles'
Helleborus hybridus 'Painted Singles' is a unique evergreen perennial known for its large, single white flowers with a striking dark burgundy center. This plant thrives in well-drained soils and is drought-resistant, making it a resilient choice for woodland gardens. It provides a winter floral display and serves as a nectar source for honeybees. Each plant is slightly different due to its seed strain, adding variety to garden landscapes. It is a prolific re-seeder, ensuring its presence in the garden for years to come. The plant contains genetic material from multiple species, contributing to its diverse characteristics. It is also known for its ability to act as a groundcover, providing year-round greenery.
Helleborus nigercors 'Hgc Green Corsican'
Helleborus nigercors 'Hgc Green Corsican' is a compact, deer-resistant hellebore hybrid with dark green leaves. It forms a 9-inch tall by 16-inch wide clump and produces upright spikes of large pure-white flowers in late winter. This plant is a great addition to winter gardens, providing interest and color during the colder months.
Helleborus hybridus 'Royal Beauty'
Helleborus hybridus 'Royal Beauty' is the first hellebore reproduced identically through micropropagation, featuring large flowers of medium pink with dark purple veins. It blooms in late spring and is known for its rabbit resistance and suitability for dry shade.
Helleborus hybridus 'Shotgun Wedding'
Helleborus hybridus 'Shotgun Wedding' features double white and red bicolor flowers and forms a 15-inch tall by 2-foot wide clump. It blooms in late February and serves as an early season nectar source for honeybees. This drought-resistant plant is a prolific re-seeder and provides winter evergreen groundcover.
Helleborus hybridus 'Pdn Double Purple'
Helleborus hybridus 'Pdn Double Purple' is a deer-resistant perennial known for its double dark purple flowers. This plant is seed-grown and thrives in part sun to shade, making it suitable for a variety of garden settings. It is drought-tolerant and can withstand dry shade conditions, adding resilience to its list of attributes. Helleborus hybridus is an evergreen perennial, providing year-round interest with its attractive foliage and flowers. This plant is a great choice for gardeners looking to add color and texture to shaded areas, while also being resistant to rabbits and other garden pests.
Helleborus hybridus 'Harlequin Gem'
Helleborus hybridus 'Harlequin Gem' is a drought-resistant plant with raspberry red double flowers and white flecking. It features evergreen foliage and provides nectar for honeybees. This plant is a prolific re-seeder and flowers in late winter, making it a valuable addition to any garden.
Helleborus hybridus 'Winter Delights Pink W White Edge'
Helleborus hybridus 'Winter Delights Pink W White Edge' is a charming plant with flowers ranging from pink to pinkish-red, accented by a narrow white band around the edge. This hybrid is part of the Winter Delights series, known for its winter flowering capabilities. It thrives in part sun to shade and is a great choice for cottage gardens or as a cut flower. Its evergreen nature and resistance to deer and rabbits make it a low-maintenance addition to any garden.
Helleborus foetidus 'Ruth'
Helleborus foetidus 'Ruth' is a compact, evergreen perennial with dark-green, almost black foliage. It produces green flowers in late fall or winter, adding interest to the garden during the colder months. This plant is suitable for part sun to shade and is resistant to rabbits, making it a durable choice for various garden settings.